► RELATED: Hall's push for penalty rate inquiry MLCs have rallied behind calls for fresh political scrutiny of penalty rates. But a proposal for an upper house inquiry has some questioning whether examination of the issue should bypass State Parliament altogether and tackled solely at a federal level. Western Tiers independent Greg Hall has flagged plans to push for an inquiry into penalty rates when Parliament resumes next month. Mr Hall is hopeful the process may allow unions, industry groups and the state government to reach a consensus on the issue before lobbying the federal government to take action. Independent MLCs Rosemary Armitage (Launceston) and Tania Rattray (Apsley) are confident benefits would flow from launching an inquiry. "Tasmanian is often used as a pilot site and there's no reason we shouldn't be leading the field on this issue," Ms Rattray said. "People trust the Legislative Council to conduct thorough and rigorous analysis of topics like these for governments to examine and act upon." Ms Armitage said the mooted inquiry's success would be measured only by the relevance of its findings. "You would hope we could emerge from an inquiry with innovative ideas that make state and federal members sit up, take notice and take action," Ms Armitage said. Murchison independent MLC Ruth Forrest endorsed a penalty rate inquiry, but said the Legislative Council had a limited capacity to influence decisions of the Federal Parliament. "There are a range of issues that should absolutely be looked at in debate about penalty rates but decisions and changes need to occur at a federal level," Ms Forrest said. "I think lobbying Tasmania's federal members to instigate a national inquiry would be a much more appropriate place to start." Ms Forrest said consensus among stakeholders could possibly be achieved through round table discussions rather than a fully fledged inquiry. Tasmanian Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old said while the inquiry may not directly influence federal policy, it may give policymakers and the public better clarity on an issue he said was placing an unaffordable burden on hospitality businesses.
MLCs have rallied behind calls for fresh political scrutiny of penalty rates.
But a proposal for an upper house inquiry has some questioning whether examination of the issue should bypass State Parliament altogether and tackled solely at a federal level.
Western Tiers independent Greg Hall has flagged plans to push for an inquiry into penalty rates when Parliament resumes next month.
Mr Hall is hopeful the process may allow unions, industry groups and the state government to reach a consensus on the issue before lobbying the federal government to take action.
Independent MLCs Rosemary Armitage (Launceston) and Tania Rattray (Apsley) are confident benefits would flow from launching an inquiry.
"Tasmanian is often used as a pilot site and there's no reason we shouldn't be leading the field on this issue," Ms Rattray said.
"People trust the Legislative Council to conduct thorough and rigorous analysis of topics like these for governments to examine and act upon."
Ms Armitage said the mooted inquiry's success would be measured only by the relevance of its findings.
"You would hope we could emerge from an inquiry with innovative ideas that make state and federal members sit up, take notice and take action," Ms Armitage said.
Murchison independent MLC Ruth Forrest endorsed a penalty rate inquiry, but said the Legislative Council had a limited capacity to influence decisions of the Federal Parliament.
"There are a range of issues that should absolutely be looked at in debate about penalty rates but decisions and changes need to occur at a federal level," Ms Forrest said.
"I think lobbying Tasmania's federal members to instigate a national inquiry would be a much more appropriate place to start."
Ms Forrest said consensus among stakeholders could possibly be achieved through round table discussions rather than a fully fledged inquiry.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old said while the inquiry may not directly influence federal policy, it may give policymakers and the public better clarity on an issue he said was placing an unaffordable burden on hospitality businesses.
